The Absolute BEST Instant Pot Roast

This was an AMAZING roast - Mark said the best we have ever done. I think you could season it with whatever seasonings you want but the worcestershire ingredients down really make it. Also, putting each of the vegetables into their own foil packet and placing on top of the roast mean the veggies are cooked the PERFECT amount (not mushy). It has a lot of liquid so can be served in a bowl (like a stew) with bread or, you can use a slotted spoon and dish up the pieces without as much juice. This would also be amazing served over mashed potatoes.


Ingredients
  • 3 to 5 lb chuck or London Broil roast MARBLED
  • 2 tsp of Lawry's seasoned salt
  • 1 tsp Montreal steak seasoning
  • 2 tsp of garlic powder
  • 2 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tbsp of salted butter
  • 2 yellow onions, sliced longways into thick wedges
  • 2 tbsp of Worcestershire sauce
  • 6 to 8 oz of Portobello mushrooms, sliced
  • 2 cups of beef broth
  • 1 cup of a dry red wine (cheap cooking wine is fine)
  • 3 tbsp of cornstarch + 3 tbsp of water to form a slurry
  • 1 oz packet of any beef gravy or au jus flavor
  • subheading: VEGGIES TO BE WRAPPED IN SEPARATE FOIL:
  • 4 large carrots, sliced
  • 1 lb of baby red potatoes
  • Any other veggies of your choosing - wrapped in separate foil
Steps
  1. Rub the roast all over with the seasonings
  2. Add the olive oil to the Instant Pot and hit “Sauté”. Allow the oil to heat up for 3 minutes and then sear the seasoned roast in the oil for about 1 to 2 mins on each side. Remove the roast when done searing and set aside on a plate
  3. The bottom of the pot will likely have some spice remnants stuck on it from searing the meat. Add in the butter and as it melts, immediately scrape/deglaze the bottom of the pot with a wooden or plastic spoon to remove any remnants of the spices from the roast. Add the onions and they will release water as they cook making it easier to deglaze the bottom of the pot. Cook for 2 minutes an then add in the Worcestershire sauce and stir for another 2 to 3 minutes while deglazing. The bottom of the pot should be nice and smooth by now with most spices no longer stuck to it
  4. Place the trivet over the onions with the handles facing upwards and place the roast on top of the trivet, fat-side up (so it allows the juices to coarse through the meat as it cooks), along with the mushrooms. Pour the wine and beef broth over everything
  5. Lastly, securely wrap the potatoes and carrots each in their own foil pouches and place in the pot on top of the roast.
  6. Secure the lid and then hit “Pressure Cook” or “Manual” High Pressure for 60 mins. When done, allow a 15 minute natural release (meaning you do nothing for 15 minutes) and then follow up with a quick release
  7. Once the lid comes off, first remove the foil-covered veggies and set aside and then carefully remove the roast using the trivet’s handles and flip it onto a cutting board. Allow to the roast and veggies to cool a few moments
  8. Go back to the pot, hit cancel, and then hit “Sauté” and bring the sauce to a bubble. Add the cornstarch and gravy mix.
  9. Unwrap the foiled potatoes and carrots and add/stir them into the sauce. Allow to bubble for one minute and then turn the pot off.
  10. Slice up the pot roast against the grain in strips about ¼ inch thick (or make thicker cuts if you wish). Then, cut each strip into good-sized chunks and immediately add them into the sauce and let sit in there for a few moments to soak it in. Make sure you toss in any remaining little strands of meat into the sauce too and give everything a final stir

Elle's Mexican Shrimp Cocktail

This is such a refreshing appetizer or light lunch. So many delicious flavors and textures that stand-out with every bite. Definitely a great summer time dish and easy to serve with guests.


Elle's Mexican Shrimp Cocktail

Ingredients
  • 2 Pounds Poached Shrimp peeled and diced *save some whole with tails on for garnish
  • 1 Large Cucumber finely diced
  • ¼ Cup Red Onion finely diced
  • ½ Bunch Cilantro
  • 2 Limes zested and squeezed
  • 1 Small Avocado diced
  • 1 12 oz. Jar Cocktail Sauce (I usually use 6 oz - or make my own from ketchup and horseradish or at least add horseradish to a bottled cocktail sauce)
  • Dash of Salt
  • Hot sauce or jalapeno (depending on heat desired and how much horseradish you have used)
Steps
  1. Combine all the ingredients with the cocktail sauce.
  2. Season with a pinch of salt.
  3. Add the hot sauce and/or the jalapeno pepper.
  4. Refrigerate for an hour so the flavors can develop and marry together.
Notes




Scripture #1 - Memorizing Scripture

This is my scripture that I have picked for the first week of our four weeks of memorizing scripture. You need to pick a verse that resonates for you - it could be the same as mine but please share what your verse is for this week. 

The reason I picked this verse is it captures so much - Paul was in a Roman prison facing a possible death sentence when he wrote this. Wow. That puts my 'troubles' into perspective but also makes me realize your faith helps you pick your attitude - he has written so many encouraging scriptures from his time in prison. It also captures so much:

1. Don't worry

2. Pray about everything

3. Ask for what you need

4. Be grateful for all things

I want this verse imprinted in my heart. What is your verse for week one?



Sunday Chat: Memorize Scripture

 

And these words, 
 which I command thee this day, 
 shall be in thine heart
Deuteronomy 6:6

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: 
and be ready always to give an answer 
to every man that asketh you a reason 
of the hope that is in you 
with meekness and fear
1 Peter 3:15  

All Scripture is God-breathed 
and is useful for teaching, 
rebuking, correcting and training 
in righteousness, 
so that the servant of God may 
be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 
2 Timothy 3:16-17 
 
Preach the word; be prepared in season 
and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage
with great patience and careful instruction. 
2 Timothy 4:2 

Until I come, devote yourself to the public 
reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.
1 Timothy 4:13

And take the helmet of salvation, 
and the sword of the Spirit, 
which is the word of God,
Ephesians 6:17

Casting all your anxieties on him,
because he cares for you 
1 Peter 5:7 ESV 

 Don’t worry about anything; 
instead, pray about everything. 
Tell God what you need, 
and thank him for all he has done. 
Then you will experience God’s peace, 
which exceeds anything we can understand. 
His peace will guard your hearts and minds 
as you live in Christ Jesus.
Phillippians 4:6-7

I have said these things to you,
that in me you may have peace. 
In the world you will have tribulation. 
But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 

Now may the Lord of peace himself 
give you peace at all times in every way. 
The Lord be with you all.
2 Thessalonians 3:16 

You keep him in perfect peace 
whose mind is stayed on you, 
because he trusts in you.
Isaiah 26:3 

But he answered, “It is written,
“‘Man shall not live by bread alone,
    but by every word that 
comes from the mouth of God.’”
Matthew 4:4

Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, 
‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 
Matthew 4:7

Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! 
For it is written,
“‘You shall worship the Lord your God
    and him only shall you serve.’”
Then the devil left him, 
and behold, angels came 
and were ministering to him.
Matthew 4:10-11

 Finally, be strong in the Lord 
and in the strength of his might.
Put on the whole armor of God, 
that you may be able to stand
 against the schemes of the devil. 
The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
Ephesians 6:10-11,17

I have hidden your word in my heart 
    that I might not sin against you. 
Psalm 119:11 

Let the word of Christ 
dwell in you richly in all wisdom; 
Colossians 3:16  
 
For the word of God is living and active,  
sharper than any two-edged sword, 
piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, 
of joints and of marrow, and discerning  
the thoughts and intentions of the heart.  
Hebrews 4:12  
 
You will seek me and find me, 
when you seek me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:13 

You will seek the Lord your God 
and you will find him, 
if you search after him with 
all your heart and with all your soul.
Deuteronomy 4:29

Do not be conformed to this world, 
but be transformed by the 
renewal of your mind, 
that by testing you may discern 
what is the will of God, 
what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2 

Elle's Most Amazing Snickerdoodles

I love experimenting. It isn't because something isn't good but I am just always on a quest. I have one more snickerdoodle recipe I would like to try one day but, these are just so good I don't know that I will ever move past these. When I have tried other recipes, I regret it and come back to these. Anyone who tries these asks for the recipe.


Elle's Most Amazing Snickerdoodles
Ingredients
  • subheading: Snickerdoodle Dough:
  • 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter just softened
  • 1 ½ cups sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • subheading: Cinnamon Sugar Coating:
  • ⅓ cup sugar
  • 3 tablespoons cinnamon
Steps
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. In a large bowl, mix together flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt together. Set aside.
  3. With a mixer, cream together butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla and blend well.
  4. Make cinnamon mixture by combining the two ingredients in a small bowl.
  5. In a small bowl, combine ⅓ cup sugar and 2 tablespoons cinnamon.
  6. Using a small cookie scoop or a tablespoon to scoop out dough, roll into a ball and then roll into the cinnamon sugar mixture. Roll twice to completely cover the balls.
  7. Place 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
  8. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Let sit on the cookie sheet for a few additional minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool.

Chocolate Bundt Cake

 This is an easy cake but with the chocolate bits and the bundt pan, it makes it seems like it is more decadent and work than it is!



Ingredients
  • 1 Cake Mix
  • 1 to 4 serving box Pudding
  • 4 Eggs
  • ¼ cup Oil
  • 1 cup Water
  • You can use any flavor you like.
  • You can eat it plain or make a glaze or melt ½ can frosting to glaze cake.
  • I almost always add 1 cup mini chocolate chips to my chocolate cakes.
Steps
  1. You can use any flavor you like.
  2. You can eat it plain or make a glaze or melt ½ can frosting to glaze cake.
  3. I almost always add 1 cup mini chocolate chips to my chocolate cakes.
  4. Mix with beaters
  5. Pour into greased and floured Bundt cake pan
  6. Bake 350F for 35 to 45 minutes
  7. Cool 15 minutes

Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

I never though I would be doing something as simple as 'mashed potatoes' in the instant pot as I thought it was easy on the stove. HA! It is so much easier in the Instant Pot and no possibility of boiling over. Not to mention the fact that you don't boil them, they retain so much more flavor. That being said, you can use with regular 'stove top' potatoes and use the additional ingredients in this recipe to your conventional mashed potatoes - so good! Enjoy.


Ingredients

  • 2 pounds potatoes washed, peeled, and cut into 1 inch cubes (Yukon, Russet or Red Potatoes all work)
  • 1 cup water or chicken broth
  •  
  • ½ cup butter (1 stick)
  • 1 cup half and half warmed
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • good dollop of sour cream
  • parsley
Steps
  1. In Instant Pot, place prepared potatoes in a steamer basket.
  2. Pour water or broth into the pot.
  3. Lock and seal the lid then cook on manual high pressure for 7 minutes (Add additional time for larger potato cubes, about 2 to 5 minutes)
  4. Perform a quick release to release all the steam and pressure.
  5. Open the lid and check the potatoes with a knife. If there is any resistance, the potatoes are not cooked all the way. Add 1 more cup of water, replace the lid, and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
  6. Drain the water out of the Instant Pot. If you placed the potatoes straight into the pot (no steamer basket), you should not have any additional liquid in the pot, but if you do, drain it.
  7. In a bowl, microwave the butter till melted, add the milk or half and half and mic for an additional 10 to 15 seconds to warm. Mash potatoes to your desired consistency. Add butter, milk, salt and pepper, sour cream and mix in.

 

Sunday Chat: Make This Year About Love

 


This is my command: 
Love each other. 
 John 15:17 

 If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, 
but didn’t love others, 
 I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 
 If I had the gift of prophecy, and 
if I understood all of God’s secret plans 
 and possessed all knowledge, 
 and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, 
 but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. 
 If I gave everything I have to the poor 
 and even sacrificed my body, 
 I could boast about it; 
 but if I didn’t love others, 
I would have gained nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:1-6

Love each other. 
 Just as I have loved you, 
 you should love each other. 
 Your love for one another 
will prove to the world that you are my disciples. 
 John 13:34-35

And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, 
all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. 
 Mark 12:30 

 “I know all the things you do. 
 I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. 
 I know you don’t tolerate evil people. 
 You have examined the claims of 
those who say they are apostles but are not. 
 You have discovered they are liars. 
 You have patiently suffered for me without quitting. 
 “But I have this complaint against you. 
 You don’t love me or each other as you did at first!
 Look how far you have fallen! 
 Revelation 2:2-5

“You have heard the law that says, 
 ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. 
 But I say, love your enemies! 
 Pray for those who persecute you! 
 Matthew 5:43-44 

 “If you love only those who love you, 
 why should you get credit for that? 
 Even sinners love those who love them! 
 Luke 6:32 

 Most important of all, 
 continue to show deep love for each other, 
 for love covers a multitude of sins. 
 1 Peter 4:8 

 But to you who are willing to listen, 
 I say, love your enemies! 
 Do good to those who hate you. 
 Luke 6:27

 “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 
 James 2:8 

 I am writing to remind you, dear friends, 
 that we should love one another. 
 2 John 1:5 

 Live wisely among those who are not believers, 
 and make the most of every opportunity. 
 Let your conversation be gracious 
and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone. 
Colossians 4:5-6

Elle's Two Minute EASY Fudge

This is so delicious and easy. Put the sweetened condensed milk (NOT evaporated) and the semi-sweet (not milk but you could use dark) chips into a bow and microwave. Do not microwave too much after step #4 as if you heat it too much it won't work. Other than no over heating, this is a no-fail fudge! I am making up batches of these to give to friends and neighbors. They think it is 'gift shop' fudge. Shhh! Don't tell them how easy it really is.


Elle's Two Minute EASY Fudge
Ingredients
  • 14 ounces Sweetened Condensed Milk
  • 12 ounces Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
  •  
  • OPTIONAL
  • 1 C walnuts
  • 1 C toffee bits
Steps
  1. Mix milk and chips.
  2. Microwave for 30 seconds
  3. Stir
  4. Microwave for 30 seconds
  5. Stir
  6. ONLY if needed, microwave for 15 minute increments and stir till melted
  7. Add additional optional ingredients
  8. Stir
  9. Press into 8 x 8 parchment lined pan
  10. Put in fridge for several hours or overnight
  11. Pull out and let get to room temperature
  12. Put into a sealed plastic bag so it doesn't dry out

Sunday Chat: Have Hope

 

You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, 
but see to it that you are not alarmed. 
Such things must happen, 
but the end is still to come. 
Nation will rise against nation, 
and kingdom against kingdom. 
There will be famines and earthquakes
in various places.
All these are the beginning of birth pains. 
Matthew 24:6-8 

But understand this, 
that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 
For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, 
proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, 
ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, 
slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 
treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, 
lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 
having the appearance of godliness, 
but denying its power. Avoid such people. 
2 Timothy 3:1-5 

 Knowing this first of all, 
that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, 
following their own sinful desires. 
They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? 
For ever since the fathers fell asleep, 
all things are continuing as they were 
from the beginning of creation.” 
2 Peter 3: 3-4 

For then there will be great tribulation, 
such as has not been from the 
beginning of the world until now, 
no, and never will be. 
And if those days had not been cut short, 
no human being would be saved. 
But for the sake of the elect 
those days will be cut short. 
Matthew 24:21-22 

“But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, 
then know that its desolation has come near. 
Luke 21:20 

 Then God said, 
“Take your son, your only son, whom you loveIsaac
and go to the region of Moriah. 
Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering 
on a mountain I will show you.”
Early the next morning Abraham got up and 
loaded his donkey. 
He took with him two of his servants 
and his son Isaac. 
Genesis 22:2-3

 Mary was standing outside the tomb crying, 
and as she wept, she stooped and looked in. 
She saw two white-robed angels, 
one sitting at the head and the other at the foot 
of the place where the body of Jesus had been lying. 
“Dear woman, why are you crying?” the angels asked her.
“Because they have taken away my Lord,” she replied, “
and I don’t know where they have put him.”
She turned to leave and saw someone standing there. 
It was Jesus, but she didn’t recognize him. 
 “Dear woman, why are you crying?” Jesus asked her. 
“Who are you looking for?”
She thought he was the gardener. 
“Sir,” she said, “if you have taken him away, 
tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him.”
“Mary!” Jesus said.
She turned to him and cried out, 
“Rabboni!” (which is Hebrew for “Teacher”).
John 20:11-16

Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; 
it is the evidence of things we cannot see. 
Hebrews 11:1 

 Listen, I tell you a mystery: 
We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed 
in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, 
at the last trumpet. 
For the trumpet will sound, 
the dead will be raised imperishable, 
and we will be changed.  
1 Corinthians 15:51-52 

 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, 
and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus 
those who have fallen asleep in him.
According to the Lord’s word, 
we tell you that we who are still alive, 
who are left until the coming of the Lord, 
will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 
For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, 
with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel 
and with the trumpet call of God, 
and the dead in Christ will rise first. 
After that, we who are still alive and are left 
will be caught up together with them in the clouds 
to meet the Lord in the air. 
And so we will be with the Lord forever. 
Therefore encourage one another with these words. 
1 Thessalonians 4:14-18 

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, 
stand firm. 
Let nothing move you. 
Always give yourselves fully 
to the work of the Lord, 
because you know that
your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 
1 Corinthians 15:58